Chapter 20 Cutting Ties
Mabel woke up the next day and was moved to the VIP ward.[]
Kael had hired a nurse and a nutritionist to handle her daily needs–both top professionals, great at caregiving, and middle–aged women who could easily chat with Mabel]
Nova still felt distant from Kael, but for Mabel’s sake, she didn’t refuse.
After lunch, Kael was chatting with Mabel. They were laughing, and Mabel no longer looked as worried as the day before.]
Clearly, Kael had explained what happened at the birthday banquet.
Nova’s lips twisted into a bitter smile.[]
“Nova, the nurse is here to take care of me,” Mabel said, putting Nova’s and Kael’s hands together. She spoke earnestly, “Live well from now on.“]
Kael pulled Nova into a hug, eyes filled with doting. “Don’t worry, Mabel. Nova’s my everything–I’d never let her down.“[]
Those words were identical to what he’d said when they’d met her family before marriage.]
Back then, her whole world revolved around him.[]
Now, she couldn’t tell how much was true.]]
Nova forced a weak smile. For Mabel’s sake, she still had to play along.[]
They stayed at the hospital all day, leaving only at night.[]
The silence in the car was suffocating.
Nova was heads–down, replying to a message from Lila–who’d found info on that man: Corin Thorne, CEO of Thorne Group in Seattle.
So he was from Seattle, no wonder she’d never heard of him…]]
[Mr. Thorne is currently in New York overseeing operations at Prosperity Group, the branch office.]]]
Prosperity Group?
Nova fell into thought.
Kael glanced at her several times, watching her stare at her phone. His gaze darkened, a panic rising.
She was right there, nothing had changed–but he felt like he was on the verge of losing her.]]
His feelings for Sloane were only physical, just a fling.[]
But Nova? She was the one he couldn’t afford to lose. He couldn’t imagine life without her.[]
“Nova…” He reached out with his right hand to take hers, which rested on her lap–a gesture of appeasement.[]
Nova stinctively turned off her phone, subtly moving her hand away. She turned to look out the window, thinking about what to say when she met Corin tomorrow…
She closed her eyes, brushing Kael off softly. “I’m a little tired. I’ll rest for a bit–wake me when we get there.“[]
Karl’s throat fell dry. He tightened his fists secretly, glancing at her locked phone. Dark waves swirled in his eyes…
They sat in tense sence for a few seconds.]
He ruffled her soft hair gently, voice soft Sleep Til wake you when we arrive home.“[]
Dusk fel!]
After her shower, Nova walked to the calendar. She picked up a red pen and drew X’s on two more dates []
Only 21 days left!]
Suddenly, a warm breath–mixed with a faint smell of alcohol–pressed against her back[]
Nove teased, struggling to pull away. “Kael“]
30 06
Chapter 20 Cutting Ties
“Nova, you’ve been so cold to me these days…” Kael’s lips brushed her neck, soft, fleeting kisses. His warm hands caressed her waist. “Your period’s over, right?“]
Couples fight, then make up in bed. He wanted to use intimacy to ease the coldness between them.[]
Nova refused. The moment he lifted her nightgown and his hand touched her thigh, she pushed him away hard. “Kael, my stomach hurts!“]
“You scraped your leg…” His movements froze suddenly. His gaze fixed on the red scrape on her leg, brows furrowing.[]
Nova’s face was pale, fine sweat beading on her forehead and nose. She pulled her nightgown down from his hand, her body radiating resistance.[]
Kael thought she was in pain. He quickly lifted her gently, placing her on the bed. He fetched the first–aid kit and applied medicine to her leg–careful and tender.]]
“Did those bodyguards do this to you?” A flash of anger passed through his eyes.[]
“I guess so…” Nova bit her lip, heart tightening as she saw his worried expression.[]
Once, even a tiny scratch would make him feel terrible, guilty for not protecting her. But now? All her injuries were because of him…]
Her eyes stung again. “I can do it myself…“[]
He held her hand, massaging it gently. He pressed it to his cheek, then kissed her palm.[]
His voice was hoarse. “I’m sorry, Nova. It’s my fault you got hurt. It won’t happen again.“[]
He looked up, gaze firm and sincere–making Nova’s mind waver for a moment.[]
ring br
Just then, a melodious phone ring broke the tender atmosphere.[]
Kael frowned, ending the call immediately. He muted the phone and tossed it aside, then cupped Nova’s face to kiss her…[]
“It’s just Trent and the guys. Ignore it.”
But in that split second, Nova had seen Sloane’s face on the screen. The last bit of warmth in her heart was doused by cold water.[]
Her gaze turned cold. She avoided his kiss and lay down. “I’m tired after a long day. I’ll sleep first.“[]
Kael looked at her cold back, frustrated.[]
Usually, a little apology would soften her–but now, she was so cold, even refusing to let him touch her.[]
Just then, the phone–tossed aside earlier–lit up again. The screen flickered with revealing photos that sent a jolt of heat through Kael’s veins.]]
“Baby, ! heated milk for you in the microwave. I’ll get it.” He grabbed the phone, left the bedroom, and went downstairs.]]
At the same time, he answered the video call.]
Sloane’s seductive voice cooed through the line as she posed. “Kael, I miss you… I put on the dress you bought me… Do you like it?”
No one knew about his private kinks–and Sloane knew exactly how to play to them.[]
Karl’s eyes turned even darker, throat bobbing as he stared at the screen.[]
But Sloane had lied to hire before–tricking him into celebrating her birthday, lying about being pregnant, and almost getting caught by Nova. That had annoyed him.]
He lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag before speaking. “I’ll have Sam send you some money in a few days.”
Is he trying to get rid of me? Sloane panicked instantly
She stopped posing, tears welling in her eyes. “No, Kael! I didn’t mean to lie to you–I just… I missed you so much! I know I was wrong this time. I’ll never do it again!“]
Kael rubbed tus temples, annoyed. He did have a soft spot for her–she was obedient in bed, never causing trouble. But he knew clearly that Nova mattered more to him.]
Sloste stoffed, “Karl, we’ve kept our relationship so secret. If Nova really suspected something, she would’ve confronted you by now, right? Her coldness lately must be for another reason
At those words, Kael froze. He put out the cigarette, frowning. “What do you mean?“]]
Sloane aniffed. “I’ll send you a photo You’ll re–Nova’s been lying to you this whole timer“]
A photo popped up on the screen
from days ago: them together at the bar, them getting into the same car… And most importantly, the jacket Nova had worn later was Corin’s![]
. So that’s why he’d felt something off between them at the hospital![]
incidence? A CEO like Corin–why would he go out of his way to drive her to the hospital?[]
here. “Nova wore Corin’s jacket after getting out of the car. What do you think happened in that car…”
r…”
lice was so dark it looked like it could storm. Even through the screen, his anger was palpable.
retly to herself.
to see Kael and Nova tear each other apart.[]
